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teaching hall had been completed. Gradually over the years the entire site has been developed, notably with the building of the beautiful bot of Wat Phra Thamakai, the landscaping of the grounds with lawns, trees and lakes, and the provision of various amenities. Today, largely thanks to the steady flow of donations by the public, the project is flourishing. The visitor, even without knowing the purpose of the center, is site. immediately struck by the air of peace and tranquillity that pervades the Cars are restricted to a parking lot just inside the gates, smoking is not permitted and there is an inescapable atmosphere of the sacred which prompts one to act as if entering, for example, a cathedral. The big difference being that this is open parkland where the beauty of nature has more impact than the art of man. While it is the serenity of the natural surroundings that dominates, the eye is nevertheless caught by the design of the bot of Wat Phra Thamakai which is a marvel of modern architecture. Completed five years ago, it is unlike traditional Thai temples in its complete lack of ornate decoration, and is characterized by pure, simple lines enhanced by plain white coloring. Yet the raised terrace base, the magnificent sweep of the steep roof, the low eaves and the four columns of the portico conspire to give the impression of religious aspiration in a structure that manages to be modern without a complete break with the past. The design is a reinterpretation rather than a rejection of the classical. The simplicity of exterior line is repeated in the interior of the temple where a black marble floor, plain white walls and teakwood ceiling quietly induce a sense of the sacred and the serene. Such an atmosphere is heightened by the sight of people sitting quietly in meditation, and the overall effect is more confirming of the faith than that of many other temples where religious ornamentation is heavily accented. Comprising the focal point of the interior is the presiding Buddha statue, an image in the traditional meditation posture but untypical in its robe which is formal and complete with a knot at the front. Simplicity is preserved with the statue raised on a plain pedestal, although it is dramatically lit by a single spotlight. Flanking the image are framed photographs of Phramongkolthep mooni. Behind the bot is an elegant bell tower and to the left is the main teaching hall in the form of a large but unobtrusive open-sided sala. All around stretch the well-maintained lawns dotted with young trees and broken here and there by the placid surface of the lakes. It is certainly hard to believe that only a few years ago this 'forest garden' was just rice fields. There is an indescribable enchantment to the place and no matter how many visitors there are, the prevailing air of tranquillity is never fractured. Although the development of the center has been gradual, its essential work was fully taken up in 1972 when Thamathayard course the first I was held. At that time there were 60 students in the group whereas this year's course attracted over 300 participants. The program is held annually and is open young males to aged between 16 and 25 who show the willingness and dedication to undergo the intense training. Courses are conducted in the long summer school vacation, March- May, and initially lasted for 30 days but in 1978 the project was expanded to a two-month duration. The first month is a period of preparation during which students learn meditation and are instructed in the ways of a monk. At the beginning of the second month all participants are ordained at a mass ceremony at Wat Benchamabopit (Marble Temple) in Bangkok, after which they return to the center to meditate and further their knowledge of Dhamma before returning to the life of a layman. Kalyanamitra.org 33